Ceylon Cat - Origin, Characteristics, Feeding and Care

The Ceylon cat is a rare feline, because there are very, very few specimens, all of which are found in France and Italy. However, today it is a breed being bred and selected. It is a breed originating from Sri Lanka and India. He is an active, intelligent, affectionate and playful cat, which adapts to different places and gets along well with children. It is a strong and he althy breed, without hereditary diseases, with a fine but robust appearance, compact and muscular, where its small head with tabby pattern stripes on the forehead, its marked cheekbones, its almond-shaped eyes and his large ears with rounded ends.

Do you want to know all the characteristics of the Ceylon cat? Keep reading this article from PlanèteAnimal to discover its origin, character, care, he alth and where to adopt it.

Origin

  • Asia
  • Sri Lanka

Physical Characteristics

  • Thin tail
  • Big ears

Size

  • Average

Average Weight

  • 3-5

Life expectancy

  • 15-18

Character

  • Affectionate
  • Smart
  • Calm
  • Shy

Climate

  • Temperate

Hair type

  • Short

Origin of the Ceylon cat

The Ceylon cat is an Asian cat from a breed originating from Sri Lanka, located in southeastern India. The origin of these cats dates back to 1984, when an Italian doctor named Paolo Pellegatta found these cats in this area and was dazzled by the tabby markings on their head, neck, legs and tail. It was then that he took several specimens home to Milan, Italy to start a breeding program.

In 1988 the Club de Amigos del Gatto di Celylon was created and in 1993 TICA recognized it.

Characteristics of the Ceylon cat

The Ceylon cat is a medium-sized feline, with a height of 25-35 cm and a weight of 3-5 kg in females and 4-6 kg in males. Its body is semi-cobby in shape, that is, it has a compact and robust body, with a round and wide head.They have a fine frame but a powerful musculature. The tail tapers as it reaches its end and the front legs are a little shorter than the hind legs.

The head, small compared to the rest of the body, is rounded, with protruding cheeks, nose without nasofrontal depression, large ears with rounded ends, lighter in color than the rest of the body, flat forehead , a strong chin and jawline, and large almond-shaped eyes, usually green or yellow in color to match the coat.

The colors of the Ceylon cat

The coat of these cats is short, fine and silky. It is tight and has practically no undercoat. Among the characteristics of the Ceylon cat, what stands out the most is undoubtedly the pattern of its coat, which is tabby on areas such as the forehead, tail, legs and back. The tip of the tail is a slightly darker color than the rest of the coat, which can be any of the following colors:

  • Ash
  • Golden (gold)
  • Black
  • Red
  • Turtle
  • Blue

Ceylon cat character

The Ceylon cat has a calm, affectionate and independent temperament. He is somewhat shy around strangers, but very affectionate with his own and enjoys being at home with his human companions, although he is not overly dependent. In addition, he gets along very well with children and other animals and adapts well to living in a small apartment, but he is also a fan of the outdoors. He is also an active and playful cat, who is always alert and fit.

Ceylon cat care

These short, close-haired cats with no undercoat have virtually no shedding or matting in their coat, so two weekly brushings are sufficient. However, certain diseases can predispose these cats to ingest more hair than they should and their digestive elimination system is not as efficient, so this brushing routine should not be forgotten, even in short-haired cats. like Ceylon, to avoid hairballs.

In addition, this cat's big ears should be cleaned to prevent ear infections, as well as the teeth to prevent and detect other diseases such as feline chronic gingivostomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, fractures , infection or injury. The eyes should also be cleared of secretions and dirt to avoid infection.

On the other hand, since they are active and playful cats, it is essential to ensure that they have adequate environmental enrichment, where they have grafting places of different heights , a rest area, one or more litter boxes (depending on whether or not there are several cats in the house), various toys, etc. It is also important to dedicate some time to play every day, because, remember, these cats like to spend time with their human companions.

Finally, due to the nature of the species and the developed muscularity of the breed, these cats must eat a diet with a high percentage of animal protein to maintain their muscles, obtain essential nutrients and preserve their he alth.Find out what cats eat in this other article.

He alth of the Ceylon cat

The Ceylon cat has a life expectancy of between 14 and 16 years. He is a cat that enjoys good he alth and is not currently known to have any breed-specific illnesses. However, like any cat, it can be predisposed to any infectious and parasitic disease common to this species, so vaccination against diseases such as rhinotracheitis, calicivirosis, leukemia and rabies must be respected. In the same way, deworming is very important in order to fight against internal and external parasites and the infectious diseases they can carry.

Where to adopt a Ceylon cat?

Adopting a Ceylon cat is a very difficult task, especially outside areas of Asian origin and even in those of breeding, that is to say in France and Italy, because there are very few specimens.It should be noted that any cat deserves responsible adoption. So, if you have been charmed by these cats, we are sure that if you go to the nearest shelter, you will find a cat that will conquer your heart!

Ceylon Cat Pictures